Vren

The northern capital city of Ruhal, gateway to the central Ruhal farming valleys, the coastal plains, and the ice mountains. Vren developed as a city around the central sacred pilgrimage destination of the northern continent, a grove of ancient redwoods traditionally considered the dwelling place of benevolent spirits. The grove was demolished by the Godlians, as the intended site for a pyramid.

from Talland's Story (The Scrolls of Nef)

"Vren. . . sat on the first hill at the edge of the coastal mountains, visible from across the wide valley by its ancient bell tower, and the pyramid that had been constructed around the tower, like a tent made of brick. . . .

At the first movement in the kitchen before dawn, Talland stepped over sleeping bodies, secured his saddle and saddlebag around the donkey, slipped out the courtyard gates into a cold mist from the river, and crossed by the main bridge into the town. Even without colors, or flowers, or pipers playing, it was a prosperous town of his father's kingdom, with its rows of pointed-roof houses curving along the river, a market square surrounded by shrine towers, and arched stone collonades protecting the storefronts. At the top of the hill was a castle of the old kings that was now the Hall of Justice, and it was toward there Talland guessed he must go."